Ask this one question to ChatGPT right now

The power of AI self-reflection: A simple question posed to ChatGPT is sparking introspection and debate about the capabilities and limitations of AI chatbots with memory features.

The viral prompt: Users are asking ChatGPT, “From all of our interactions, what is one thing that you can tell me about myself that I may not know about myself?”

• This question was initially proposed by Tom Morgan, founder of The Leading Edge newsletter, on social media platform X.
• The prompt is designed to work with AI chatbots that have persistent memory features enabled, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and potentially Anthropic’s Claude.

Surprising insights: Many users report receiving unexpectedly insightful and emotionally resonant responses from ChatGPT.

• The AI’s answers often provide observations about the user’s character, work style, or personal traits.
• Even OpenAI CEO Sam Altman expressed enthusiasm for the trend, describing it as “love this” on X.

Debate over significance: Not all experts agree on the value or accuracy of these AI-generated insights.

• AI researcher Simon Willison likened the responses to a “horoscope generator,” suggesting they may lack true depth or personalization.
• The article’s author, Carl Franzen, disagrees with this assessment, arguing that ChatGPT’s memory feature allows it to draw on stored information about the user to attempt meaningful value judgments.

Variations on the theme: Users are experimenting with different versions of the prompt and exploring other AI models.

• Some are comparing responses between different ChatGPT models, such as the default GPT-4 and the new o1 preview reasoning model.
• Others are modifying the question to request more critical or humorous feedback, like asking for a “roast” in the style of a Comedy Central special.

Broader implications: The popularity of this trend highlights the evolving relationship between humans and AI.

• It demonstrates how AI is becoming increasingly embedded in daily life, beyond just work or academic applications.
• The exercise reveals users’ curiosity about AI’s perception of them and its potential for personal insight.

AI’s growing role: As generative AI approaches its second anniversary since ChatGPT’s launch, this trend exemplifies the technology’s expanding influence.

• Users are finding novel and unexpected ways to interact with AI, beyond its intended purposes.
• The phenomenon underscores the potential for AI to play a more significant role in self-reflection and personal growth.

Ethical considerations: While not explicitly addressed in the article, this trend raises questions about data privacy and the extent of information AI systems retain about users.

• Users engaging in this exercise may want to consider what personal information they’ve shared with the AI over time.
• The ability of AI to form opinions about users based on interactions highlights the importance of transparency in AI memory and data retention policies.

Looking ahead: This trend may inspire further exploration of AI’s potential in psychology and self-improvement fields.

• Future developments could see more specialized AI tools designed for personal insight and growth.
• As AI capabilities continue to advance, users may need to become more conscious of the information they share and how it’s being interpreted and stored by these systems.